Two Rabble-rousers – (Graeme Wood and Abu Qatadah) Rationalising and Legitimising The Killing of Children During War

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah [The Exalted] says:

إِذَا ٱلشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ
When the sun will be coiled up (and lose its light).

وَإِذَا ٱلنُّجُومُ ٱنكَدَرَتْ
And when the stars will fall down (and scatter).

وَإِذَا ٱلْجِبَالُ سُيِّرَتْ
And when the mountains will be swept away (from their places, having being turned to dust).

وَإِذَا ٱلْعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتْ
And when the pregnant she-camels (that reach full-term) will be left idle, without care.

وَإِذَا ٱلْوُحُوشُ حُشِرَتْ

And when the wild beasts will be gathered together (for retribution to take place between them, before they are turned to dust).

وَإِذَا ٱلْبِحَارُ سُجِّرَتْ
And when the oceans will be kindled ablaze (after having merged together).

وَإِذَا ٱلنُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتْ

And when the (various categories of) souls will be paired together (on the basis of their actions in this world) (or: when the souls are returned to their bodies).

وَإِذَا ٱلْمَوْءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتْ
بِأَىِّ ذَنۢبٍ قُتِلَتْ
And when the female newborn (who was) buried alive will be asked. For what sin she was killed.

وَإِذَا ٱلصُّحُفُ نُشِرَتْ

And when the scrolls (of the good and bad deeds of every person as recorded by the angels) will be spread open.

وَإِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ كُشِطَتْ
And when the heaven will be torn out (from its place).

وَإِذَا ٱلْجَحِيمُ سُعِّرَتْ

And when the Hellfire will be kindled ablaze (its burning rage reflecting the sins of mankind and Allāh’s anger).

وَإِذَا ٱلْجَنَّةُ أُزْلِفَتْ
And when Paradise will be brought near (for the pious).

عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أَحْضَرَتْ

(When these events have taken place) then will every soul know what it has brought (of good and evil for this Day). [1]

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وَإِذَا ٱلْمَوْءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتْ
بِأَىِّ ذَنۢبٍ قُتِلَتْ

“And when the female new born (who was) buried alive will be asked. For what sin she was killed”. This pertains to the custom followed by the ignorant people of the pre-Islamic period, wherein they would bury their (infant) daughters alive solely out of the apprehension of poverty. Consequently, the innocent female child would be questioned (on the day of Judgement): [بِأَىِّ ذَنۢبٍ۬ قُتِلَتۡ- For what sin she was killed]? This is because it is widely acknowledged that she is sinless, and this verse serves as a (strong) reproach and cautionary message to those responsible for her demise. [2]

Staff writer Graeme Wood from The Atlantic has attempted to justify and legitimise the act of killing children in times of war. This disturbing stance parallels the sinister tactics employed by the Khariji Abu Qatadah. Both individuals align themselves with extremist factions, with Graeme siding with the murderous Zionists and Abu Qatadah supporting the murderous Kharijites. Their alarming viewpoints are evident in the following excerpts. NB: The picture message regarding Abu Qatadah is a quote from one of Shaikh Abu Iyaadh’s articles.

Ibn Umar [may Allah be pleased with him and his father] narrated that a woman was found killed in one of the battles; so Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] forbade the killing of women and children. [Sahih Muslim 1744]

Truly, the view of these individuals to justify and legitimise such barbaric, atrocious, and dreadful act is utterly despicable. Despite their reasoning, they have made a declaration that goes against the innate human compassion for children and the instinct to safeguard them at all costs. Their rationalisations exude pure malice verging on sadism, and they cannot absolve themselves of accountability for their words. No amount of sugar-coated language or purported noble goals can excuse the abhorrent nature of their statements. The proclamations they make are utterly appalling to any parent with even a shred of compassion, leaving one in disbelief. It is truly distressing to listen to or read, causing a wave of nausea. How could anyone attempt to justify such a heinous act against the most innocent, children or infants? This wicked justification paves the way for all perpetrators in times of conflict to behave inhumanely, inflicting deadly harm and unbearable agony leading to the demise of helpless children. One can scarcely fathom the horror and multitude of wounds that a child would suffer when trapped alongside others before meeting their demise! Indeed, the noble Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said: “Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to people”. [Ṣahiḥ Al-Bukhari 7376]

We ask Allah:
اللهم إني أسألك بأن لك الحمد لا إله إلا أنت المنان بديع السماوات والأرض يا ذا الجلال والإكرام! ياحيُّ ياقيوم

After the above supplication, we say, “May Allah guide Graeme, Abu Qatadah, and all those who utter such abhorrent and inhumane words towards the righteous path or afflict them with an ailment that renders their tongues and minds incapacitated. Amin”.

[1] Surah At-Takweer. Ayah 1-14: https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/verse/81/1

[2] An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi